File cabinet



Jan. 12, 1 V GRQNBERG 1,841,330

FILE CABINET Inveuoii:

t Vicio? Grongrg,

`lari.. 12, 1932. V. GRQNBERG 1,841,330

FILE CABINET Filed Jan. 5., 1929 4 Sheets-*Sheet 2 I ld/vena? lo? voi/bev Y 9 e 7 6 a m 9 6 5 6 W 6 9 9 L onv ,.0 H u 7/ 6 4 I` v 7 V Pw |r I I l l I I l I l l I l l I l l l l l I l I l l l I l I l I l i l l l l l l l I I l Il. 3 w 6 P 3 3 a 6,74%# E,

Jan. l2, 1932. v. GRONBERG FILE CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 5, 1929 [given/a? iov vouei' Jan. 12, 1932. v GRONBERG 1,841,330

FILE CABINET Filed Jan. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenav: Vicio? wonevg,

Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE VICTOR. GRONBERG, F l.I'All/IESTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO POSTINDEX COMPANY, INC., 0F JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS FILE CABINET Application led January 5,\1929. Serial No. 330,571.

" of, while its scope will be more particularly i0 pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a file cabinet exemplifying the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of the cabinet looking toward the rear with the drawers removed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical,longitudinal, sectional View on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but with the drawers removed;

0'@ Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 4- 4 of Fig. 1, showing the movable parts in their normal positions;

Fig. 5is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the mode of detaching the draw- 5 er from and attaching it to extension slides;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 6-6 of Fig. 4, illustrating the manner of removing one of the extension slides from its guide;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the front corner construction of the cabinet;

Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional View, illustrating the locking mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view online 9-9 of Fig 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, showing one set of the fixed drawer guides, and one of the pillars to which they are secured;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a portion of one of thel fxeddrawer guides;

Fig. 12 isan elevation of one of the extension slides;

Fig. 13 is a" horizontal, sectional view of the rear portion of the cabinet on line k13--13 of Fig. 2; and y Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the complete cabinet with the drawer rest, and one o-f the drawers drawn out and tilted down onto the drawer-rest.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated therein, and having reference at first more particularly to Fi 2, the cabinet comprises a sheet metal shell, includinur a top 20, two side walls 21, a bottom 22, and a rear wall 23. In the present example, the top and side walls are conveniently formedof a single piece of sheet metal, bent vto the required shape, while the bottom is formed of a separate piece of sheet metal inserted between the side walls, and conveniently secured thereto as'by providing the side walls with inwardly-directed, integral flanges 24, upon which the bottom 22 rests, and to which it may be secured, as by spot-welding.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the top and bottom walls'are provided with fianges 25 and 26, which are directed toward each other at the front of the cabinet, and similar ,flanges 27and 28 (shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 3) at the rear ofthe cabinet. The anges 25 and 26 (see the left-hand side of Fig. 3) have inwardly-directed, marginal portions 29 and 30. Referring again to Fig. 1, the side walls 21 are provided at the front of the cabinet with flanges 31, which are directed toward each other, and at the rear of the cabinet, there are similar anges 32 (see Fig. 4) which are directed toward each other. The flanges 31 (see the front of Fig. 4) have inwardly-directed, marginal portions 33. Referring again to Fig. 1, the flanges 25 and 31 are mitered together as at 34, the ianges 26 and 31 are mitered together as at 35, and at the rear of the cabinet, the corresponding flanges are similarly mitered.

At the rear of the cabinet, the margins of the four flanges 27, 28 and 32, 32, present an opening which is closed by the rear wall 23, the latter being introduced from the inside, and suitably secured in place as by spot-welding. Referring now to Fig. 3, the rear wall is provided with upper and lower, forwardlydirected flanges 36 and 37, which contact with the top 20 and bottom 22, respectively. Referring to Fig. 4, the rear wall is provided with forwardly-directed flanges 38, which contact with vthe inner surfaces of the walls 21, respectively. Each of these flanges has an inwardly-directed portion 39, which, as

will later more fully appear. spaces the 'rear ends of the drawer uides from the side walls of the cabinet. Re erring now to Fig. 2, the upper longitudinal corners of the cabinet are appropriately reinforced, as by angle bars 40 suitably secured to the top and side walls, as by s ot-welding. c

The ont corners of the cabinet receive pillars 41 (see Fig. 7), each of which conveniently formed of a piece of sheet metal bent to present a channel-bar having rearwardly-directed flanges 45. These bars interlock with the shell for casing of the cabinet (see Fig. 4) by being received between the side walls 21 and the rearwardly-directed portions 33 of the lianges 3l. When, therefore, the pillars 41 are 1n place, they are 1mmovable, and can be removed only by rearward displacement. Their rearward movement, however, is normally revented by the vdrawer guides presently to e described.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the upper portion of the cabinet is provided with a ceilin 46, comprising a plate which is reinforce as b two longitudinal channel-bars 47 (see Fpig. 7), appropriately secured to the plate, as by spot-welding. The plate 46 lies in the same plane as the rearwardly-directed portion 29 of the ange 25,' and abuts edge to edge with said rearwardly-directed portion. The front end of the ceilin is conveniently supported on the rearwar ly-directed portion 29 of the ian'ge 25 by an angle `bar 48, secured as by spot-welding to the plate 46,

and resting u on said rearwardly-directed portion. The ars 47 contact with the lower aces of the horizontal anges of the angle bars 40 (see Fig. 2), and thus space the plate 46 from the top.

v The rear end of the ceiling is supported b forwardly-directed flanges 49 (see Fig. 4 of an inner, rear wall 50, which contacts wit the inner face of the outer, rear wall 23. Between the forwardly-directed flanges 49, the inner, rear wall 50 is extended upwardly behind the ceiling plate 46 (see Fig. 3), and is bent forwardly as at 51. Removal of the inner, rear wall is accomplished by pulling its lower end forward, thus rocking the saine about the upper end of the ceiling plate as a fulcrum, until the oblique portion 51 of the inner, rear wall contacts with the inner face of the. outer, rear wall, whereupon the inner,

rear wall ma be withdrawn downwardly to remove its o lique portion 51 from behind the rear end of the ceiling plate 46. The

lower end of the'inner, rear wall is provided with a pair of forwardly-directed flanges 52 (see Fig. 13 suitably secured to the bottom 22 of the ca inet, asby bolts 53, which extend through the flanges and through the bottom. When the inner, rear Wallis in place, it locks the ceiling in place, because the latter can be removed only by lowering its rear end to withdraw the angle bar 48 from its place (see Fig. 7) above the rearwardly-directed portion 29 of thev flange 25.

Still referring to Fig. 7, there are two channel bars 54, one at each side of the cabinet, and each having flanges 55 provided with outwardly-directed portions 56 which rest upon the bottom 22, and are preferably. secured to the latter, as by spot-welding. Tliese'channel bars reinforce the bottom of the cabinet, and provide sup orts for the drawer guidesnow to be described, reference being had at first to Fig. 2. Each drawer guide, in thepresent example, isin the form of a channel bar 57, having upper and lower flanges 58 and 59, the upperfiange in the present instance being narrower than the lower one. Referring now to the upper portion of Fig. 4, it will be observed that the width of the flange 59 is such that it snugly fits the space between the flanges 39 and 49,

which therefore hold the rear end of thedrawer guide against lateral displacement. The front end of the drawer guide is held against lateral displacement. by interlocking engagement with the flange 42 of the vertical channel bar 41. In the present example, this is conveniently accomplished by punching the web of the drawer uide to form a ton ue 60 (see. Fig. 11), which is laterally o set (see Fig. 4) to overlie the outer face of the fiange 42, while the projecting ends of the upper and lower ianges 58 and 59 of the drawer flange 4 Each set of drawer guides is suitably secured, as by spot-welding, to two uprights or pillars 61, herein channel-bars, whose lower ends (see Fig. 2) rest upon the horizontal channel-bars 54. The upepr ends of the channel-bars 61 contact with the lower face of the ceiling plate 46, and afford support for the latter.

Each drawer guide (see Fig. 10) is separated from the one directly above it by a space 62, to receive a horizontal partition 63 (see Fig. 2), while the uppermost drawer guide is separated from the ceiling plate by a space 63 (see Fig. 10), which, as shown in Fig. v2, receives a false ceiling plate 64, similar to the horizontal partition 63, except that its longitudinal edges are doubled under as at 65. In assembling the internal parts of the cabinet, the two sets of drawer guides are first put in place by fitting their front ends onto the upright flanges 42 (see Fig. 4), and then swinging the rear ends of the drawer guides horizontally into place, after which the inner rear wall 50 is inserted, and its anges 49 hold the rear ends of the drawer guides against the inner edges of the flanges 39. Thus, it will be seen that the inner rear wall 50 constitutes a key piece.

The drawer guide extension slides will now be described, reference being had at rst to Fig. 6. As herein shown, each slide comguide overlie the iiincr face of the Y prises an angle bar 66, having a wide flange 67 disposed flatwise against the web of `the channel guide 57, said angle bar having a narrow flange 68 disposed beneath, but diverging from the flange 58,-so that the angle bar, though normally snugly fitting between the flanges 5S and 59 to be guided thereby, can be removed from its place by a rocking movement about its upper edge as a fulcrum, as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 6. Longitudinal movement of the extension slide is limited by appropriate means, herein two lugs 69, struck up from the flange 67 and offset as at 70 to extend through longitudinal slots 71 provided in the web of the channel-- bar 57. These lugs diverge outwardly and upwardly to a sufficient extent to allow them to be withdrawn through the slots when the extension slide is rocked in the manner illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The length and position of the slots are such that the front end .of the extension slide, although normally occupying a position initially behind the front face of the cabinet (see the lower part of Fig. 4) can be carried forward to a position beyond the front face of the cabinet (sce the lower right-hand corner of Fig. 5). This enables the extension slides to afford support for the drawer beyond the front face of the cabinet.

Each extension slide also presents a longitudinal groove 72, herein conveniently formed by welding tothe slide an angle bar 73, having an outstanding flange 74, which, togetb er with the flange 68, forms the groove 72. Referring now to Fig. 12, the rear end of this groove is closed by a lug 75, struck up from the flange 67. The form of this lug before being struck up is indicated in dotted lines at the right-hand end of Fig. 12. The other end of the groove is closed by a lug 76, formed as an extension of the f'lange'74, and bent up to meet the flange 68. A lug 77, struck up from the angle bar 73, reinforces the lug 76. Each groove 72, as will presently appear, receives a pivotal pin or trunnion, presented by its associated drawer, and this pin plays back and forth between the abutments presented by the lugs 75 and 77.

Each pair of drawer guides supports and guides an appropriate drawer 78, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 5. When one of the drawers is fully withdrawn from the cabinet, it is desirable that it shall be capable of being swung downwardly into some such position as that illustrated in Fig. 14, while still supported by its extension slides. To this end, therefore, the drawer is provided with two trunnions 79, presented by the ends of the rod 80, 'said trunnions occupying the grooves or channels 72 in the extension slides. The closed front ends of the grooves or channels areengaged by the trunnions in the forward movement of the latter, and in this way 'l the extension slide is projected from the front of the cabinet into a position where it will afford support for the trunnion. On the other hand, when the drawer is pushed back into the cabinet, the trunnions strike the abutments at the rear ends of the grooves or channels, as a result of which the slides are carried in a rearward direction to the posi-- tion which they normally occupy.

When the drawer is withdrawn from the cabinet, carryin with it the extension slides to the position 1n which the drawer can be swung about the axis of its trunnions while remaining supported b the slides, accidental disengagement of the rawei-from the slides is impossible, because the -up'per flange of the trunnion-receiving channel is uninterrupted, and the trunnions cannot be lifted out. However, intentional removal of the drawer from the slides can be accomplished by fully withdrawing one slide (see the lower right-hand corner of Fig. 5), and slightly withdrawing the otherrslide (see the lower left-hand corner of Fig. 5). When the slides are thus related, the drawer may then be placed in an obliquel position, in which tbe trunnions can be withdrawn from the channels.` This is sometimes desirable, when the circumstances are such that the user wishes to take the drawer away to some other place to inspect the records which lit carries.

Each drawer has a front 81, provided with a knob 82, by which it may be manipulated. When the drawer is in its normal position in the cabinet, the face of the drawer front is flush with the front face of the cabinet (see Fig. 4). Referring again to Fig. 14, the drawer illustrated herein is intended to receive filing elements of the overlapping type, and to that end. the drawer has upwardly and inwardly bent flanges 83, which prezent channels 84 along its sides to receive card carriers. Any one of the drawers when drawn out can be caused to rest upon an underlying slide 85, whose general characteristics in the present example resemble those of the drawers, except that the rest is inserted, so to speak; that is to say, it has downwardlydirected flanges 86. The front of the rest is identical in formation and in appearance with the drawer fronts, and presents a uniform appearance therewith when the cabinet is closed. Outward movement of the drawer rest is limited by appropriate means, herein a bracket 87 (see Fig. 3) secured to the rest as by bolts 88 and provided with a depending lug 89, which is adapted to engage the flange at the front of the cabinet, and to limit the forward movement of the rest.

The drawer-locking mechanism will now be described, reference being had at first to Fie'. 4. A vertically-slidable. drawer-locking slide 90 is guided by a front face of the inner rear wall 50, and by two marginal guides 91, suitably secured, as by spot-welding, to said wall. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, this slide carries a set of drawer-locking elements', Fig. 8 to the position shown in dottedv lines,

thereby cooperating with the channel-bar, in

herein brackets 92, secured asby s ot-welding to the slide,l and presenting orwardly and upwardlyirected projections 93, adapted to present obstructions to removal of the drawers by beingprojected into the aths of the rods at the rearends of the rawers. This action is well illustrated in Fig. 8, which shows the rear end of the drawer in dotted lines, and its rod 80 engaged by the locking bracket 92, also shown 1n dotted linesin its elevated posltion.l

Vertical movement of the drawer-locking slide `is accomplished by mechanism now to be described, still referring to Fig.'8. Suitably secured to the drawer-locking slide, adjacent its upper end, is a channel bar 94, presenting ahorizontal groove o r channel 95 to receive a crank-pin 96 carried by a shaft 97 between the cabinet top 20 and, the ceiling plate 46. This shaft extends through, and

has a'bearing in, an angle bar 98, which is secured as by spot-welding to the ceiling plate 46. Referring to Fig. 3, the shaft extends toward the front end of the cabinet through an opening 99 presented by another bracket 100, which is secured, as by spotwelding, to the ceiling plate 46. Referring again to Fig. 8, the shaft is operated by a suitable lock, herein of the cylinder type, comprising a cylinder 101 which has a bearing in a block 102, and projects through a circular opening 103 in the flange 25. The bearin is held against turning movement, as by eing provided with a lug or tongue 104, which is received between ianges 105 presented by a bracket 106, which is secured as by spot-welding to the front flange- 25. Lateral displacement of the lock is prevented by a downwardly-directed flange 107 of a bracket 108, which is secured as by spot-welding to the top 20of the cabinet. The rear end of the cylinder is provided with a slot 109, to receive a tongue 110 of a coupling 111, whose other end is provided with a similar tongue 112, received in a transverse groove 113 in the shaft 97. A screw 114, extending through the tongues 112, and threaded into the shaft, provides a detachable connection between the coupling and the shaft. This screw provides a pivotal connection between the coupling and the shaft. This aords a flexible connection between the coupling and the shaft. After the ceiling has been removed from the cabinet, the shaft may be withdrawn rearwardly, thus withdrawing the tongue 110 from the slot 109 in the cylinder of the lock, and the latter can then be removed from its place.

which thel crankin is received, to cause the lockin slide to e moved vertically. Thus it will e seen that thelockingmechanism is entirely positive in its operation, and depends in no way upon springs, or the action of gravity. Moreover, thelocking of the drawers is entirely independent of-the drawer rest,'the latter therefore being capable of being withdrawn for use when the drawers arel locked.

'Having thus described one embodiment of the invention', .butwithout limiting myself thereto, what I claim .and desire by Letters Ratent to secure is: v

1. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of drawers one above another within said casing and withdrawablethrou h said opening, two removable drawer gui each side of said drawers, each unit .comprising a set of drawer guides at each side of said drawers and uprights to which said drawer guides are secured, and means interposed between said units to secure said units in place in said casing and to permit them to be removed therefrom.

2. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an openingat the front, a set of drawers one'above another within said casing and withdrawable hrough said Opening,

two removable dra er guide units, one at each side of said drawers, each unit comprising a set of drawer guides ateach side o f said drawers and uprights' to which said drawer guides are. secured, each unit presenting a vertical series of channels, and means interposed between said units to secure-said units in place in said casing and to permit them to be removed therefrom, said means comprising partitions between said drawers and received in said channels.

3. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of drawers one above another within said casing and withdrawable through said opening, two removable drawer guide units, one at each side of said drawers, each unit comprising a set of drawer guides at each side of said drawers and uprights to which said drawer guides are secured, the drawer guides of each unit being separated by spaces, and means interposed between said units to secure said units in placein said .casing and to permit them to be removed therefrom, said means comprising partitions between said drawers and received in said spaces.

4. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of In the operation of the locking mechanism, drawers one above another .within said casa key inserted in the lock turns the cylinder, and with it the coupling and shaft, as a result of which the crank-pin at the rear end of the shaft revolves about the axis of the latter from the position shown in full lines in ing and withdrawable through said opening, two sets of drawer guides, one set at each side of said drawers, the guides of each set being constructed as a unit having interlocking engagement with said casing adjacent said opening, and means interposed between said units normally to maintain such engagement by preventing the rear ends of said units from being swung inwardly from the sides of said casing. p

5. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of drawers one above another within said casing and withdrawable through said opening,

two sets of drawer guides, one set at eachside of said drawers, the guides of each set being constructed as a. unit having interlocking engagement `with said casing adjacent said opening, and means normally to maintain such engagement by preventing the rear ends of said units from being swung inwardly from the sides of said casing, said means coinprising a removable, inner, rear wall interposed between said units.

6.*In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of -drawers one above another within-said casing and withdrawable through said opening, two sets of drawer guides, one set at each side of said drawers, the guides of each set being constructed as a unit having interlocking engagement with said casing adjacent said opening, and means normally to maintain such engagement by preventing the rear ends of said units' from being swung inwardly from the sides of said casing, said me-ans comprising a set of removable partitions between said drawers and interposed between said units.

7. In a cabinet, the combination of a casing having an opening at the front, a set of drawers one above another Within said casing and withdrawable through said opening, two sets A of drawer guides, one set at each side of said drawers, the guides of each set being constructed as aunit having interlocking engagement with said casing adjacent said opening, and means normally to maintain such engagement by preventing' the rear ends of said units from being swung inwardly from the sides of said casing, said means comprising a removable, inner, rear wall interposed between said units, and a set of removable partitions between said drawers and interposed between said units.

8. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casing, a drawer therein having laterally disposed trunnions, a pair of drawer guides, one on each side of said drawer, a pair of extension slides, one on each side of said drawer, and having upper and loweriiangesextendingsubstantiallythrough-Q out their length and presenting grooves in which said trunnions travel, said grooves terminating at their front and rear ends in abutments which are engaged by said trunnions and cause movement of said slides forwardly and rearwardly under the iniiuence of said drawer, and means to limit said movement to a distance less than the distance between'said front and rear abutments.

9. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casing, a drawer therein having laterally disposed trunnions, a pair of drawer guides, one on each side of said drawer, a pair of extension slides one on each side of said drawer, and having front and rear abutments which are engagedl by said trunnions and cause movement of said slides forwardly. and rearwardly under the iniiuence of said'drawer,l and means to limit said movement, said means including slots in said `guides, and projections extending from said slides laterally throughsaid slots and thence upwardly, each slide being-removable from its associated ide by rocking said slide inwardly to witdraw its project-ion from the slot in which it is received.

10. Ina cabinet of the Class described, the combination of a casing, a drawer therein having laterally disposed trunnions, a pair of drawer guides, one on each Side of said drawer, a pair of extension slides one oneach side of said drawer and having front and rear abutments which are engaged by said trunnions and cause movement of said slides forwardly and rearwardlyl under the influence of said drawer, and means to limit Said movement, said means including slots in said guides, and projections extending from said slides laterally through said slots and thence upwardly and laterally.

11. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casing having a front opening and above said opening a rearwardly directed flange, a drawer within said casing and adapted to be projected forwardly through said opening, and a ceiling above said drawer and comprising a plate which lies in the same plane as said flange, and means carried by said plate and overlying the top of said flange lto support said plate on the latter.

12. In a cabinet ofthe class described, the combination of a casing having a front opening and above said opening a rearwardly directed flange, a drawer within said casing and adapted to be projected forwardly through said opening, and a ceiling above said drawer and comprising a plate which lies in the same plane as said flange, and means carried by said plate and overlying the top of said flange to support said plate on the latter, said means engaging the lower surface of the top of said casing and preventing upward movement of the frontend of said plate.

13. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casing having a front opening and above said opening a rearwardly directed flange, a drawer within said casing and adapted to be projected forwardly through said opening, and a ceiling above said drawer and comprising a plate which lies in the same plane as said iiange, and a bar secured to the upper surface of said plate and overlying the top of said iange.

14. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casinghaving a front opening and above said opening a rearwardly directed ange, a drawer within said casing and adapted to be projected forwardly through said opening, and a ceiling above said drawer and comprising a plate which lies in the same plane as said ilange, and a member secured to the top of said plate and interposed between and iittin the space between the top of said flange an the lower surface of the top 0f said casing.

15. In a cabinet of the class described,the combination of a casing, a drawer therein having laterally disposed trunnions, a pair of drawer guides, one on each sideof said drawer,

apair of extension slides, one on each side of said drawer, and having' upper and lower flanges extending substantially throughout their length and presenting grooves in Awhich said trunnions travel, said grooves terminatin at their front and rear ends in abutments w ich are enga ed by said trunnions and cause movement ogsaid slides forwardly and rearwardly under the influence of said drawer,.said slides extending substantially throughout the length of said drawer guides, andl means to limit said movement to a distance less than the distance between said front and rear abutments. v a

.16. In a cabinet of the class described, the combination of a casing, a drawer therein having laterall disposed trunnions, a pair of drawer gui es, one on each side of said drawer, a pair of extension slides, one on each side of said drawer, and having upper and lower flanges extending substantially throughout their length and presenting grooves in which said trunnions travel, said grooves terminating-iat their front and rear ends in abutments which are engaged by said trunnions and cause movement of said slides forwardly and rearwardly under the influence of said drawer, and means to limit said movement to a distance less than the length of said slides.

,sso

er guides presenting vertical walls havin longitudinal slots extending therethroug from `side to side, and a pairof drawer hangers having vtongues which project horizontally through said slots and thence upwardly, said hangers having abutments disposed in the aths of said pivots.

19. a lile cabinet, the combination of a drawer` provided with pivots, a pair of VVICTOR GRONBERG.

17. In a le cabinet, the combination of a extending outwardly into said slots, respectively, said hangers having` means cooperating with said walls to prevent inward displacement of said hangers, and said hangers having abutments disposed in the paths of said pivots.

18. In a file cabinet, the combination of a dra?? .arovided with pivots, a pair of draw- 

